Cambridge Audio to Offer 640BD Blu-ray Player in 2009

Cambridge Audio says it plans on releasing its first Blu-ray player — the 640BD — early in 2009.

The 640BD offers playback of 1080p/24fps HD and upscales DVD content to 1080p. The 640BD, which will be available in silver or black, features full HDMI 1.3 output.

Introduced at CEDIA Expo 2008, the 640BD includes bitstream output of HD Dolby and DTS surround-sound systems.

It also offers decoding of Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS HR surround-sound.

Other features:

• Full set of analog video outputs
• Ethernet Connection
• S/PDIF and Toslink
• Dedicated 7.1 and stereo analogue outputs

Cambridge Audio didn't release pricing for the 640BD. Prices of Blu-ray players, however, have reportedly been dropping.

DacMagic Digital-to-Analog Converter

The company also showed its new DacMagic upsampling digital-to-analog converter at CEDIA Expo 2008.

The DacMagic uses Adapted Time Filtering (ATF) upsampling technology, which converts 16-24 bit audio to 24 bit/192kHz. A 32-bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) from Texas Instruments eliminates jitter, the company says.

Twin Wolfson DACs offer stereo imaging, and there is a choice of digital filters.

DacMagic features two inputs with both S/PDIF and Toslink sockets to enable connectivity with a range of digital sources.

The DacMagic converter also features:

• USB port for PC connection
• Phase select to invert or re-invert input, which can correct recording problems
• Dual Differential Virtual Earth balanced filter topology
• Single-ended phono and XLR balanced audio outputs

DacMagic has an aluminum front panel and a new acoustically-dampened chassis.

DacMagic, which can be used vertically or horizontally, will be available in black or silver for $399 in October.